Yobo bows out after testimonial in PH

Former Nigeria captain, Joseph Yobo, on Friday, officially quit competitive football as Team Nigeria defeated Team World 5-4 in Port Harcourt in a testimonial played in his honour.

However, another former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, stole the show at the capacity-filled Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium during the testimonial which featured a number of football stars on the continent.

Okocha first captained the Super Eagles Stars (Team Nigeria) in the first half and came back to play for the Yobo and Friends (Team World) in the second half before he was later replaced by Azubuike Okechukwu.

The former Bolton Wanderers player was a delight to watch as he reignited some of his exceptional qualities which made him the toast of many Nigerian fans in his heyday.

Emmanuel Emenike who was the first scorer on the day finished with a hat-trick for Team Nigeria, who also paraded goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Ahmed Musa, Godfrey Oboabona, Mutiu Adepoju, Kanu Nwankwo, Joel Obi (who scored his side's second goal), Efe Ambrose and Ike Shorunmu, among others.

Okocha, after providing Emenike with another pass which earned him the third goal, was dramatically asked to leave the pitch by former Cameroon's captain, Samuel Eto'o as the Team World had no answer to his 'killer' passes.

The drama was celebrated by spectators on the terraces as they indicated that they were enjoying every bit of 'Okochamania'.

Former Manchester United manager, David Moyes, who made Joseph Yobo his first signing at Everton, alongsside former Nigeria coach, Fanny Amun coached the Team World.

Yobo led the Team World at first half which paraded Samuel Eto'o (who scored the second goal) Ghanaian Suley Muntari (who scored the opener for his side), another Ghanaian, Stephen Appiah, goalkeeper Dele Ayenugba, ace Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme (Paw Paw) and stand up comedian Ay, among others, and also captained Team Nigeria in the last half.

Yobo, who played at three World Cup finals before his retirement in 2014 after the World Cup game against France, scored for both sides in the testimonial.

His first goal in the first half came on the dot of time to make the half time score 4-3, while he also scored in the last half through a penalty kick after Ayenugba had saved his first spot kick.

Interestingly, unmarked Nollywood star, Paw Paw also scored for Team World to make the final score 5-4 in favour of Team Nigeria. - Tribune.